Da-Chief
04-27-2008, 12:42
http://i.dslr.net/urls/50/5350.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/AntiCompetition-Concerns-Ignite-Spectrum-Cap-Debate-93945)
When the results (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/93295) of the 700 MHZ spectrum auction were released, very few people experienced any sort of surprise. AT&T and Verizon snagged the most spectrum in the auction largely because they ve got the most money to be tossing around. This fact has spurred concerns that auctions such as these are detrimental to wireless competition and has many people arguing (http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080426/SUB/236962331/1005) that spectrum caps should be put back in place.
The caps that used to be in place were eliminated in favor of a spectrum screen which many say serves little purpose in actually reducing anti-competitive actions. (The screen is basically a guideline whereas a cap would be a rule.) However, others have argued that there isn t as much reason to be concerned as some would have us believe. When the spectrum results were first announced, the belief was that AT&T and Verizon s acquisitions had them surpassing this screen in nearly all markets; actual data indicates that this likely isn t the case. Despite this, there is little doubt that the big guys got bigger as a result of the spectrum auction, an issue many continue to express concerns about.
More...
When the results (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/93295) of the 700 MHZ spectrum auction were released, very few people experienced any sort of surprise. AT&T and Verizon snagged the most spectrum in the auction largely because they ve got the most money to be tossing around. This fact has spurred concerns that auctions such as these are detrimental to wireless competition and has many people arguing (http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080426/SUB/236962331/1005) that spectrum caps should be put back in place.
The caps that used to be in place were eliminated in favor of a spectrum screen which many say serves little purpose in actually reducing anti-competitive actions. (The screen is basically a guideline whereas a cap would be a rule.) However, others have argued that there isn t as much reason to be concerned as some would have us believe. When the spectrum results were first announced, the belief was that AT&T and Verizon s acquisitions had them surpassing this screen in nearly all markets; actual data indicates that this likely isn t the case. Despite this, there is little doubt that the big guys got bigger as a result of the spectrum auction, an issue many continue to express concerns about.
More...